It’s that time of year again when I listen to non-stop Christmas music. Everyone from Bing Crosby to Elvis. Buried in the third verse of one of the less “festive” but most profound of those songs is a line that has stuck with me. We all know the familiar “Silent Night” and can hear our favorite crooner singing “sleep in heavenly peace.” Less familiar is the song’s final refrain: “Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.”

I don’t know about you, but when I hear “Silent Night” I always picture a nativity set on a mantle, showing a smiling Mary and Joseph looking down on a baby in swaddling clothes, a shepherd and some farm animals behind them, maybe an angel on the roof, and three well-dressed kings (who weren’t there, by the way—check your Bible) with their gifts. None of that is wrong (except the aforementioned wise men, who didn’t show up until well after the birth). But I think we often talk about Baby Jesus and forget that he was also the Lord Jesus. He didn’t become the Lord when He turned 30 and started his ministry, or at puberty when His parents found Him in the temple, being about His “Father’s business.” No, He was Lord from the moment of His birth. Before that even, from the moment the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary. Before that even…He was Lord before the creation of the world. He never ceased to be Lord. Rather, as Paul wrote to the Philippians, He took “the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7, NIV)

That brings up the issue of Christ’s incarnation and of His dual nature. We have to remember that Christ was not 50% man and 50% God. He was 100% man and 100% God, human and divine. How? Beats me. I can’t explain it. But somehow, in some way, beyond what my mind can comprehend, Christ entered into our world in 100% human form without ceasing to also be 100% God.

A few years ago, I heard a Maundy Thursday sermon on the theme of “who’s in charge?” The preacher that night showed how throughout the events leading up to His crucifixion and even in His death, Jesus was in control. He surrendered his life; it wasn’t taken from Him. He gave up His spirit. He didn’t call the legion of angels to rescue Him. Pilate had no authority over Jesus had it not been given to him. Truly, Jesus was Lord at His death.

Similarly, He was Lord at His birth. Read through the Old Testament prophecies about Christ. Read through the accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Think through the events that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Think about the angels sent to tell the shepherds or the star that appeared to the magi directing them to the Christ. Add in the purpose of it all…Jesus didn’t come to be a cute little baby to inspire nativity scenes. He came to die for the sins of the world. Ponder that as you read the prophecies and the Gospels and think through the Christmas story. See how this plan, laid out before the creation of the world, unraveled and was fulfilled perfectly along every step of the way.

Do so, and I think you’ll find the power in those few words at the end of a familiar carol.

I’m a thinker. That’s not to say that I’m any smarter than the next guy; it’s not a statement about the quality of my thoughts, but the quantity. They never stop. For better or worse, my mind is always running. There are times when it drives me nuts, when I wish I could shut off my brain. But there’s also the part of me that loves to think, to analyze, to contemplate. Be it a thought-provoking speech, a Hollywood movie with a twist, or even a mathematical equation, I appreciate something that challenges me to think and rewards me for doing so.

As a writer, I also love the method of communication. I’m a wordsmith, and I appreciate the article that is not only informative but clever or the sermon that is poetic in addition to edifying. I’ll read a book where the characters are realistic, the dialogue pops, and the narrative flows well, even if the subject isn’t all that appealing to me. Similarly, I’ll choose which sporting event to watch based on the announcers as much as the teams playing. The author’s style isn’t as important as the message, nor should the sportscaster’s delivery overshadow the game he’s calling. But there is an artistry (at least in theory) involved, and I think the exercising of that artistry, when done with proper motivation, can reflect on the One who gave the artist his or her talents in the first place. So that’s what I want to do with this blog—give my constant thinking a place to express itself, hopefully in an artistic manner. But there’s more to it than that. I don’t want this to be just another compilation of esoteric thoughts and opinions with some flowery language mixed in. I don’t want the gravy that gives the meat added flavor to become the main dish. I will opine from time to time, and the writer in me can’t resist some alliteration and a few metaphors. But my goal is to write—to think aloud, if you will—through a Biblical lens. As my next post will speak to, knowledge that isn’t rooted in truth isn’t worth the adroit words used to express it.I don’t have a specific subject matter in mind. I’ll write about life, church, politics, sports—everything. And it won’t always be “spiritual” in nature. But whether I share my views on church discipleship strategy or react to a transcendent sporting event, I want to do so with a mindset that is shaped by Scripture. It’s a shaping process that is still ongoing, and I’ll admit I’m flawed. I can’t promise you everything you read will be right (and when it’s not, call me on it). But my intention is to think and write in a way that challenges you and me to see things as God sees them.

I often hear people say that another person has “a heart for the Lord.” But I’ve never heard of anyone being described as having “a mind for the Lord.” Ideally, we should have both, as one without the other falls apart (which I’ll cover in more detail in upcoming posts). The Apostle Paul admonished us to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (Romans 12:1, NIV) It’s a process, one that needs to be ongoing. This is my effort to continue that process.

Categories

Author

I'm a thinker. For better or worse, my mind is always running. As a writer, I also love the method of communication. I think there's an artistry to it. This blog is my way of giving my constant thinking a place to express itself artistically.